Motor terminal, motor terminal assembly having the same, and method of assembling motor using the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a motor terminal assembly comprising a terminal case comprising a terminal accommodation portion accommodate a terminal of another component, and a front end portion having a larger horizontal cross-section than a terminal hole so as to be caught by the terminal hole outside a bracket, and a body portion formed beneath the front end portion and having a smaller horizontal cross-section than the terminal hole so as to move in the terminal hole and A part of electrical connection means to be connected to a terminal a busbar terminal, and to be located at inside the terminal case. Consequently, it may be possible to prevent damage to the terminal and more effectively prevent the terminal from being inclined or biased in an initial state in which the terminal is inserted into a terminal hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional Application of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/567,087 filed Dec. 11, 2014, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Application Nos.10-2013-0154011 and 10-2013-0154012, both filed on Dec. 11, 2013, whoseentire disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present application relates to a motor terminal, a motor terminalassembly having the same, and a method of assembling a motor using thesame, and more particularly, to a motor terminal for connecting a powersource to a motor, a motor terminal assembly having the same, and amethod of assembling a motor using the same.

2. Background

A motor is a device which converts electrical energy into rotationalenergy using force received by a conductor in a magnetic field. Themotor typically includes a rotatable shaft, a rotor coupled to theshaft, and a stator fixed in a housing. The stator is installed aroundthe rotor with a gap therebetween. A coil is wound around the stator soas to form a rotating magnetic field.

In a split core type stator, an annular busbar is arranged on thestator. A coil on the stator is connected to the busbar through a coilterminal so as to apply current to the busbar. The busbar has a busbarterminal connected to power sources having different polarities.

The busbar terminal is connected to a terminal for connection to a powersource and the terminal is provided in a bracket covering a housing of amotor. The bracket is formed with a terminal hole for mounting of theterminal. Typically, the terminal is installed into the terminal hole ina fixed state.

Meanwhile, the terminal may be configured so as to be movable in theterminal hole while having a predetermined displacement, in order tosecure an installation pace in a vehicle and achieve reduction of anassembly tolerance and improvement in accuracy of a terminal position.

However, such a terminal assembly may cause damage to the terminal sincethe terminal is inclined or biased to one side in the process in whichthe terminal is inserted into the terminal hole. In addition,productivity may be lowered due to delay in installation processes ofthe terminal.

In this case, since the terminal is fixed into the terminal hole,position accuracy between the terminal and another terminal has to bemanaged in order for the terminal to connect with other components. Forthis reason, the terminal has a problem in that costs are increased andmanagement processes are added. Furthermore, there is a problem in thata significant installation space is required due to addition of fusing,a harness, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating terminal holes and connection terminalsconnected to a busbar terminal;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a motor terminal assembly according to anexemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a motor terminal according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a motor shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the terminal inserted into the terminalhole;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating hook portions having restricted movementdue to fixed ribs;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the terminal moved to one side from thestate in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the hook portions having restrictedmovement due to fixed end portions;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the terminal moved to one side from thestate in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of assembling the motoraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 shows are views illustrating a process of assembling the motoraccording to the assembly method of the motor shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a motor terminal assembly according toanother embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the motor terminalassembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows views illustrating a state in which a terminal moves;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of assembling a motor usingthe motor terminal assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 shows views illustrating a process of assembling a motoraccording to the assembly method of the motor shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a state in which a terminal of anothercomponent is coupled to a motor terminal;

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a motor terminal assembly according to afurther embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the motor terminalassembly shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method of assembling a motor usingthe motor terminal assembly shown in FIG. 18; and

FIG. 21 shows views illustrating a process of assembling a motoraccording to the assembly method of the motor shown in FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. While thepresent application is shown and described in connection with exemplaryembodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various modifications can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The terms and words used in thespecification and claims should not be construed as their ordinary ordictionary sense. On the basis of the principle that the inventor candefine the appropriate concept of a term in order to describe his/herown invention in the best way, it should be construed as a meaning andconcepts for complying with the technical idea of the presentapplication. In addition, detailed descriptions of constructions wellknown in the art may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thegist of the present application.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating terminal holes and connection terminalsconnected to a busbar terminal.

Referring to FIG. 1, a stator 2 may be accommodated in a housing 1 and abusbars 3 may be provided on the stator. A rotor 5 may be coupled to ashaft 4. The busbar 3 may be connected with cables 6 for power supplyand an end portion of each cable 6 may be provided with a connectionterminal 11.

A bracket 200 may be assembled on an opened upper surface of the housing1. The bracket 200 may be formed with terminal holes 210.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a motor terminal assembly according to anexemplary embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3 is a viewillustrating a motor terminal according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present application. FIGS. 2 and 3 clearly show only main featuresfor conceptually and obviously understanding the disclosure. As aresult, various modifications of the drawings are conceived and thepresent application need not be limited to specific features shown inthe drawings.

Referring FIGS. 2 and 3, a motor terminal 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present application may include a body 110 and a pairof hook portions 120.

The body 110 may include a connection terminal 111 therein and be formedin a female form. One side of the connection terminal 111 may beelectrically connected to a cable 6 connected to a busbar 3, and theother side thereof may be electrically connected to a connector insertedinto the body 110.

The body 110 may include a rear end portion 112 through which one sideof the connection terminal 111 is connected to the cable 6 and a frontend portion 113 through which the other side of the connection terminal111 is connected to a terminal of another component.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a motor shown in FIG. 3.

The body 110 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and4.

In a motor terminal assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present application, a terminal hole 210 may be formed in a bracket200 and the terminal 100 may be installed so as to pass through theterminal hole 210 toward the inside of the bracket 200 from the outsidethereof. The rear end portion 112 of the body 110 passes through theterminal hole 210 and is located inside the bracket 200.

Centering ribs 114 may be formed on both sides of the body 110 so as tobe symmetrical on the basis of a criteria line CL passing a center ofthe body 110 in a width direction (an X-axis direction in FIGS. 3 and 4)and protrude in the width direction. Specifically, a pair of centeringribs 114 may be respectively formed at both side edges of the body 110with the hook portions 120 interposed therebetween. The centering ribs114 may serve to prevent the terminal 100 from being inclined or biasedin an initial state in which the terminal 100 is inserted into theterminal hole 210.

Meanwhile, each of the centering ribs 114 may include a first cuttingportion 115. The first cutting portion 115 may be formed by cutting acorner formed by a tip surface 114 a and a side surface 114 b of thecentering rib 114. The first cutting portion 115 of each of the pair ofcentering ribs 114 formed on both sides of the body 110 may be formed ina wedge form and may allow the terminal 100 to be aligned and insertedinto the terminal hole 210 in the initial state in which the terminal100 is inserted into the terminal hole 210.

The rear end portion 112 of the body 110 may be provided with a secondcutting portion 116. The second cutting portion 116 may be formed bycutting a corner formed by an end surface 112 a and both side surfaces112 b. The second cutting portion 116 formed at the rear end portion 112of the body 110 may be formed in a wedge form and may allow the terminal100 to be aligned and inserted into the terminal hole 210 in the initialstate in which the terminal 100 is inserted into the terminal hole 210.

Meanwhile, the front end portion 113 of the body 110 may have a largerhorizontal cross-section than the terminal hole 210 so as to be caughtby the terminal hole 210 and located outside the bracket 200. On theother hand, the rear end portion 112 of the body 110 may have a smallerhorizontal cross-section than the terminal hole 210 such that theterminal 100 freely moves in the terminal hole 210.

As a result, the terminal may freely move within a range of the terminalhole 210 in a state in which a terminal of another component such as anECU is directly connected to the terminal 100.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the body 110 may be configured of a firstpart 110A and a second part 110B which are coupled to each other. Thehook portions 120 may be formed at the first and second parts 110A and110B, respectively. Coupling protrusions 110Aa may be formed on frontand back surfaces of the first part 110A. Coupling holes 110Bb intowhich the coupling protrusions are fitted may be formed on front andback surfaces of the second part 110B. Here, the front and back surfacesof the first part 110A mean front and back surfaces of the body 110 onthe basis of a longitudinal direction of the body 110 (a Y-axisdirection in FIG. 3).

The hook portions 120 may serve to support the terminal 100 such thatthe terminal 100 is guided to be aligned with respect to the terminalhole 210 and is not decoupled outward from the bracket 200 when theterminal 100 is inserted into the terminal hole 210. The hook portions120 may be symmetrical on both sides of the body 110 on the basis of acriteria line C, and may be open to be further away from each other asdirected toward the front end portion 113 from the rear end portion 112and be elastically deformable.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the terminal inserted into the terminalhole.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the terminal 100 is inserted into the terminalhole 210, the hook portions 120 are deformed so as to be close to eachother in a state of having restoring force. In this case, when theterminal hole 210 has a larger thickness than a design specification,end portions of the hook portions 120 are caught by an inner wall of theterminal hole 210 in the latter half of the insertion of the terminal100 and thus the hook portions 120 may become close to each other. Toresolve this problem, the end portions of the hook portions 120 may beformed with third cutting portions 117.

The pair of third cutting portions 117 may be formed by cutting cornersformed by end surfaces 121 (see FIG. 4) and outside surfaces 122 (seeFIG. 4) of the hook portions 120. The third cutting portions 117 mayprevent the end portions of the hook portions 120 from being caught bythe inner wall of the terminal hole 210 in the latter half of theinsertion of the terminal 100 even though a thickness tolerance with theterminal hole 210 is generated.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the hook portions having restrictedmovement due to fixed ribs.

As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 100 inserted into the terminal hole 210may be configured so as not to be decoupled from the terminal hole 210by the hook portions 120 caught by an inside surface of the bracket 200.In this case, a pair of fixed ribs 220 for restricting movement of thepair of hook portions 120 may protrude from the inside surface of thebracket 200 around the terminal hole 210. A distance between the fixedribs 220 for respectively supporting the pair of hook portions 120 maybe smaller than a maximum open distance of the pair of hook portions 120in a state in which no external force is applied thereto.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the terminal moved to one side from thestate in FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal 100 may move to one side in theterminal hole 210. When the terminal hole 100 moves to one side,movement of one of the pair of hook portions 120 is restricted by theassociated fixed rib 220 and thus the hook portion 120 providesrepulsive force in a direction opposite to movement of the terminal 100.As a result, the terminal 100 may more smoothly move in the terminalhole 210. In addition, the fixed rib 220 may allow the terminal 100 tobe aligned on the basis of the center of the terminal hole 210 in astate in which the terminal 100 is mounted into the terminal hole 210.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the hook portions having restrictedmovement due to fixed end portions.

As shown in FIG. 8, each hook portion 120 may include a first fixed endportion 123 and a second fixed end portion 124 which restrict movementof the hook portion 120, in place of the fixed ribs 220 formed at thebracket 200.

The first fixed end portion 123 may protrude from an end portion of thehook portion 120 in a vertical direction to a longitudinal direction ofthe hook portion 120 so as to support an inside surface 230 of thebracket 200. The second fixed end portion 124 may extend from the endportion of the hook portion 120 in the longitudinal direction of thehook portion 120 so as to support the inner wall of the terminal hole210.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the terminal moved to one side from thestate in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the terminal hole 100 moves to one side,movement of one of the pair of hook portions 120 is restricted by theassociated first and second fixed end portions 123 and 124 and thus thehook portion 120 provides repulsive force in the direction opposite tomovement of the terminal 100. As a result, the terminal 100 may moresmoothly move in the terminal hole 210. In addition, the first andsecond fixed end portions 123 and 124 may allow the terminal 100 to bealigned on the basis of the center of the terminal hole 210 in a statein which the terminal 100 is mounted into the terminal hole 210.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of assembling the motoraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. FIGS.11A to 11C are views illustrating a process of assembling the motoraccording to the assembly method of the motor shown in FIG. 10.

Hereinafter, a method of assembling the motor using the above-mentionedmotor terminal assembly will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and11A to 11C.

First, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11A, and 11B, the connection terminal 111connected to each cable 6 may pass through the terminal hole 210 and thebracket 200 may be assembled to the motor housing 1 (S100).

Next, the first and second parts 110A and 110B may be mutually assembledto the associated connection terminal 111 so as to be coupled to eachother (S200). Since the body 110 is divided into the first and secondparts 110A and 110B, the body 110 may be more easily coupled to theconnection terminal 111.

Next, the assembled terminal 100 may be pushed and inserted into theterminal hole 210 (S300). Since the hook portions 120 are pushed andenter along the terminal hole 210, the terminal 100 may be easilyinstalled in the terminal hole 210.

In a general vehicle motor, a male terminal for receiving a power sourcemay be directly provided in the motor and the male terminal of the motormay be connected to a male terminal of another component such as an ECUby fusing. However, in such a type of terminal assembly structure, sincea significant space is required due to fusing and a position between themale terminals has to be accurately managed, there is a problem in thatcosts are increased and management processes are added. Meanwhile, inanother type of terminal assembly structure, when a female terminal isprovided in the motor, a harness for connection to a male terminal ofanother component is required. For this reason, there is a problem inthat an installation space is required and costs are increased. Tobasically resolve such problems, a motor terminal assembly and a methodof assembling a motor according to another embodiment of the presentapplication allow a motor terminal to be directly connected to anothercomponent such as an ECU.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a motor terminal assembly according toanother embodiment of the present application. FIG. 13 is across-sectional view illustrating the motor terminal assembly shown inFIG. 12. FIGS. 12 and 13 clearly show only main features forconceptually and obviously understanding the disclosure. As a result,various modifications of the drawings are conceived and the presentapplication need not be limited to specific features shown in thedrawings.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a motor terminal assembly 1000 may includea terminal case 1100 and a flexible cable 1200.

The terminal case 1100 may include a connection terminal 1110 thereinand be formed in a female form. One side of the connection terminal 111may be electrically connected to the flexible cable 1200, and the otherside thereof may be electrically connected to a terminal of anothercomponent inserted into the terminal case 1100.

The terminal case 1100 may include a front end portion 1120, a bodyportion 1130, and a rear end portion 1140. The front end portion 1120,the body portion 1130, and the rear end portion 1140 of the terminalcase 1100 are only classified according to shapes and functionalcharacteristics thereof for description thereof, and may one meansconnected to each other.

A terminal hole 310 may be formed on a bracket 300 and the terminal case1100 may be installed so as to pass through the terminal hole 310 towardthe inside of the bracket 300 from the outside thereof. When theterminal case 1100 is inserted into the terminal hole 310, the front endportion 1120 may be formed on the bracket 300 and the rear end portion1140 may pass through the terminal hole 310 and be located in thebracket 300. The body portion 1130 may be located in the terminal hole310.

First, the front end portion 1120 may have a larger horizontalcross-section than the terminal hole 310 so as to be caught by theterminal hole 310 and located outside the bracket 300.

On the other hand, the body portion 1130 may have a smaller horizontalcross-section than the terminal hole 310 such that the terminal case1100 freely moves in the terminal hole 310. As a result, the terminalcase 1100 may freely move within a range of the terminal hole 310 in astate in which a terminal of another component such as an ECU isdirectly connected to the terminal case 1100.

The rear end portion 1140 may have a larger horizontal cross-sectionthan the terminal hole 310 so as to be formed beneath the body portion1130 and caught by the terminal hole 310 within the bracket 300. Therear end portion 1140 may be formed in an elastically deformable wedgeblock and may allow the terminal case 1100 to be aligned and insertedinto the terminal hole 310 in an initial state in which the terminalcase 1100 is inserted into the terminal hole 310.

The flexible cable 1200 is connected to a busbar terminal 410 connectedto a busbar 400. The busbar terminal 410 may be formed upward from thebusbar 400. When a height of a lower end of the connection terminal 1110is set as H of FIG. 2, the busbar terminal 410 may extend to a higherpoint than H of FIG. 2 in the vertical direction. As a result, theflexible cable 1200 which connects the connection terminal 1110 to thebusbar terminal 410 may be arranged in a substantially “U” shape. Inthis case, the flexible cable 1200 may be arranged such that an end 1210of the flexible cable 1200 connected to the busbar terminal 410 islocated at a higher point than the height H of the lower end of theconnection terminal 1110. This enables damage to a junction portionbetween the flexible cable 1200 and the busbar terminal 410 caused dueto movement of the terminal case 1100 to be minimized.

Since the shape of the flexible cable 1200 is easily deformed accordingto movement of the terminal case 1100, the flexible cable 1200 may allowthe terminal case 1100 to move in a state in which the terminal case1100 is connected to the busbar terminal 410.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are views illustrating a state in which the terminalcase moves.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the terminal case 1100 may move in thevertical and horizontal directions within a range of therectangular-shaped terminal hole 310 having a predetermined width W andlength L. In addition, as shown in FIG. 14C, the terminal case 1100 mayrotate within the range of the terminal hole 310.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of assembling a motor usingthe motor terminal assembly shown in FIG. 12. FIGS. 16A to 16E are viewsillustrating a process of assembling a motor according to the assemblymethod of the motor shown in FIG. 15.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the method of assembling a motor using themotor terminal assembly 1000 may first connect the flexible cable 1200to the busbar terminal 410 protruding upward from the busbar 400 (S110,see FIGS. 16A and 16B).

Next, the flexible cable 1200 connected to the busbar terminal 410 maypass through the terminal hole 310 and be extracted therefrom, and thebracket 300 may be assembled to a motor housing 500 (S120, see FIG.16C).

Next, the flexible cable 1200 may be connected to the terminal case 1100(S130, see FIG. 16D).

Next, the terminal case 1100 connected to the flexible cable 1200 may beinserted into the terminal hole 310 (S140, see FIG. 16E).

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a state in which a terminal of anothercomponent is coupled to the motor terminal. Since the terminal case 1100may move in the terminal hole 310, the terminal of another component 2such as an ECU may be directly connected to the terminal case 1100. As aresult, it may be possible to minimize an installation space without aneed for accurately managing a position between the terminals

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a motor terminal assembly according to afurther embodiment of the present application. FIG. 19 is across-sectional view illustrating the motor terminal assembly shown inFIG. 18. FIGS. 18 and 19 clearly show only main features forconceptually and obviously understanding the disclosure. As a result,various modifications of the drawings are conceived and the presentapplication need not be limited to specific features shown in thedrawings.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, a motor terminal assembly 2000 of thepresent application may include a terminal case 2100 and a busbarterminal 2200.

The terminal case 2100 may include a front end portion 2110, a bodyportion 2120, and hook portions 2130. The front end portion 2110, thebody portion 2120, and the hook portions 2130 of the terminal case 2100are only classified according to shapes and functional characteristicsthereof for description thereof, and may one means connected to eachother.

The front end portion 2110 may include a terminal accommodation portion2110 a which accommodates a terminal of another component therein. Thefront end portion 2110 may have a larger horizontal cross-section than aterminal hole 310 so as to be caught by the terminal hole 310 andlocated outside a bracket 300. On the other hand, the body portion 2120may have a smaller horizontal cross-section than the terminal hole 3100such that the terminal case 2100 freely moves in the terminal hole 310.

The hook portions 2130 may be symmetrically formed on both sides of thebody portion 2120, and may be open to be further away from each other asdirected toward the front end portion 2110 and be elasticallydeformable.

The busbar terminal 2200 serves to directly and electrically connect theterminal of another component to a busbar 400. The busbar terminal 2200may include a base portion 2210 and an extension portion 2220. The baseportion 2210 is connected to the busbar 400. The extension portion 2220may extend from the base portion 2210 and be coupled to the terminalcase 2100 so as to be connected to the terminal accommodation portion2110 a. In this case, the extension portion 2220 may have a plurality ofbent regions 2200 a and 2200 b in consideration of a relative positionaldeviation between the terminal case 2100 and the busbar 400.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method of assembling a motor usingthe motor terminal assembly shown in FIG. 18. FIGS. 21A to 21C are viewsillustrating a process of assembling a motor according to the assemblymethod of the motor shown in FIG. 20.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, method of assembling a motor using themotor terminal assembly 2000 may first assemble the bracket 300 to amotor housing 500 such that the busbar terminal 2200 is aligned to theterminal hole 310 (S210, see FIGS. 21A and 21B).

Next, the terminal case 2100 may be coupled to the terminal hole 310such that the busbar terminal 2200 is connected to the terminalaccommodation portion 2110 a (S220, see FIG. 21C).

The motor terminal, the motor terminal assembly having the same, and themethod of assembling a motor using the same according to the embodimentsof the present application have been described in detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with embodiments of the present application, a terminalincludes a pair of hook portions which are symmetrically formed and isconfigured to be inserted into a terminal hole in an aligned state,thereby preventing damage to the terminal.

In accordance with embodiments of the present application, the terminalhas a pair of centering ribs which are symmetrically formed and a cornerof a front end portion of each centering rib is cut and configured in awedge form, thereby more effectively preventing the terminal from beinginclined or biased in an initial state in which the terminal is insertedinto the terminal hole.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present application, a cornerof a rear end portion of a body of the terminal is cut and configured ina wedge form, thereby allowing the terminal to be aligned in the initialstate in which the terminal is inserted into the terminal hole.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present application, cornersof end surfaces of the hook portions are cut outward, thereby preventingthe hook portions from not being spread by the end surfaces of the hookportions being caught due to a thickness tolerance with the terminalhole in the latter half of insertion of the terminal into the terminalhole.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present application, fixedribs for restricting movement of the hook portions are formed on aninside surface of a bracket around the terminal hole, thereby allowingthe terminal to freely move in the terminal hole and smoothly move in astate in which a predetermined repulsive force is added thereto.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present application, a body ofthe terminal is divided into first and second parts which are mutuallycoupled and the body is configured to be assembled to a connectionterminal in a state in which the connection terminal connected to abusbar terminal is extracted from the terminal hole, thereby enabling anassembly process of a motor to be more easily and rapidly performed.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present application, aterminal of a vehicle component such as an ECU is directly connected tothe motor terminal and the directly connected terminal is configured tomove in the terminal hole, thereby minimizing an installation spacewithout a need for accurately managing a position between the terminals.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present application, a freelydeformable flexible cable is used to connect the busbar terminal to theconnection terminal of the terminal, thereby allowing the terminal tostably move.

In accordance with the embodiments of the present application, thebusbar terminal is directly connected to a terminal accommodationportion of a terminal case and is configured to serve as the connectionterminal, thereby simplifying the configuration and minimizing theinstallation space.

The present application is directed to a motor terminal capable of beinginserted into a terminal hole in an aligned state so as not to beinclined or biased to one side when the terminal is inserted into theterminal hole in a state in which the terminal hole is larger than theterminal, a motor terminal assembly having the same, and a method ofassembling a motor using the same.

In addition, the present application is directed to a motor terminalcapable of being easily inserted into a terminal hole regardless of athickness tolerance with the terminal hole, a motor terminal assemblyhaving the same, and a method of assembling a motor using the same.

In addition, the present application is directed to a motor terminalcapable of freely moving in a terminal hole and smoothly moving in astate in which a predetermined repulsive force is added thereto, a motorterminal assembly having the same, and a method of assembling a motorusing the same.

In addition, the present application is directed to a motor terminalassembly in which a position between terminals need not be accuratelymanaged and an installation space may be minimized.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention.

According to an aspect of the present application, a motor terminalincludes a body including a connection terminal, a rear end portionallowing the connection terminal to be connected to a busbar terminal,and a front end portion allowing the connection terminal to be connectedto a terminal of another component, and a pair of hook portions formedon both sides of the body, respectively, and configured so as to be opento be further away from each other as directed toward the front endportion from the rear end portion and to be elastically deformable.

The body may include a pair of centering ribs formed on both sides ofthe body so as to be symmetrical on the basis of a criteria line andprotrude in a width direction.

Each of the centering ribs may include a first cutting portion formed bycutting a corner formed by a tip surface and a side surface.

The body may include a pair of second cutting portions formed so as tobe symmetrical on the basis of a criteria line and by cutting cornersformed by an end surface and both side surfaces of the rear end portion.

The motor terminal may further include a pair of third cutting portionsformed by cutting corners formed by end surfaces and outside surfaces ofthe pair of hook portions.

The body may include a first part in which one of the pair of hookportions is formed and a second part in which the other of the hookportions is formed, the second part being coupled to the first part.

The first part may include coupling protrusions formed on front and backsurfaces thereof, and the second part may include coupling holes formedon front and back surfaces thereof, the coupling protrusions beingfitted into the coupling holes.

Each of the hook portions may include a first fixed end portion whichextends in a first direction from an end portion thereof to support aninside surface of a bracket around a terminal hole, and a second fixedend portion which extends in a different direction from the firstdirection from the end portion to support an inner wall of the terminalhole.

The pair of hook portions may be symmetrical on the basis of a criterialine passing a center of the body in a width direction.

According to another aspect of the present application, a motor terminalassembly includes a bracket formed with a terminal hole, and a terminalincluding a body which includes a connection terminal, a rear endportion allowing the connection terminal to be connected to a busbarterminal, and a front end portion allowing the connection terminal to beconnected to a terminal of another component, and a pair of hookportions formed on both sides of the body, respectively, and configuredso as to be open to be further away from each other as directed towardthe front end portion from the rear end portion and to be elasticallydeformable, wherein the front end portion has a larger horizontalcross-section than the terminal hole so as to be caught by the terminalhole, and the rear end portion has a smaller horizontal cross-sectionthan the terminal hole so as to move in the terminal hole.

The bracket may include fixed ribs which protrude from an inside surfacearound the terminal hole to restrict movement of the pair of hookportions.

Each of the hook portions may include a first fixed end portion whichextends in a first direction from an end portion thereof to support aninside surface of the bracket around the terminal hole, and a secondfixed end portion which extends in a different direction from the firstdirection from the end portion to support an inner wall of the terminalhole.

The pair of hook portions may be symmetrical on the basis of a criterialine passing a center of the body in a width direction.

According to still another aspect of the present application, a methodof assembling a motor using the motor terminal assembly of the aboveanother aspect includes a) assembling the bracket to a motor housing insuch a manner that the connection terminal connected to a cable passesthrough the terminal hole, b) assembling the terminal by coupling thebody to the connection terminal, and c) inserting the assembled terminalinto the terminal hole.

The body may include a first part in which one of the pair of hookportions is formed and a second part in which the other of the hookportions is formed, the second part being coupled to the first part, andin the b) assembling the terminal, the first and second parts may becoupled to each other such that the body is coupled to the connectionterminal.

According to yet another aspect of the present application, a motorterminal assembly includes a terminal including a connection terminal, afront end portion allowing the connection terminal to be connected to aterminal of another component and having a larger horizontalcross-section than a terminal hole so as to be caught by the terminalhole outside a bracket, and a body portion formed beneath the front endportion and having a smaller horizontal cross-section than the terminalhole so as to move in the terminal hole, and a flexible cable connectinga busbar terminal to the connection terminal.

The terminal may include a rear end portion which is formed beneath thebody portion and has a larger horizontal cross-section than the terminalhole so as to be caught by the terminal hole inside the bracket.

The rear end portion may be formed in an elastically deformable wedgeblock.

The flexible cable may be arranged in a U-shape from the connectionterminal to the busbar terminal.

The busbar terminal may extend to a higher point than a lower end of theconnection terminal in a vertical direction.

According to a further aspect of the present application, a motorterminal assembly includes a terminal case including a front end portionincluding a terminal accommodation portion accommodating a terminal ofanother component and having a larger horizontal cross-section than aterminal hole so as to be caught by the terminal hole outside a bracket,and a body portion formed beneath the front end portion and having asmaller horizontal cross-section than the terminal hole so as to move inthe terminal hole, and a busbar terminal including a base portionconnected to a busbar, and an extension portion extending from the baseportion and being coupled to the terminal case so as to be connected tothe terminal accommodation portion.

The motor terminal assembly may further include a pair of hook portionsformed on both sides of the body, respectively, and configured so as tobe open to be further away from each other as directed toward the frontend portion and to be elastically deformable.

The extension portion may include at least one bent region.

According to a still further aspect of the present application, a methodof assembling a motor using the motor terminal assembly of the above yetanother aspect includes connecting the flexible cable to the busbarterminal, assembling the bracket to a motor housing in such a mannerthat the flexible cable connected to the busbar terminal passes throughthe terminal hole, connecting the flexible cable to the connectionterminal of the terminal, and inserting the terminal connected to theflexible cable into the terminal hole.

According to a yet further aspect of the present application, a methodof assembling a motor using the motor terminal assembly of the abovefurther aspect includes assembling the bracket to a motor housing suchthat the busbar terminal is aligned to the terminal hole, and couplingthe terminal case to the terminal hole such that the busbar terminal isconnected to the terminal accommodation portion.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A motor terminal assembly comprising: a terminalcase comprising a terminal accommodation portion to accommodate aterminal of another component and a front end portion having a largerhorizontal cross-section than a terminal hole so as to be caught by theterminal hole outside a bracket, and a body portion formed beneath thefront end portion and having a smaller horizontal cross-section than theterminal hole so as to move in the terminal hole; and a flexible cableto be connected to a connection terminal and the connection terminal islocated inside the terminal case, wherein the flexible cable is arrangedin a U-shape from the connection terminal to a busbar terminal.
 2. Themotor terminal assembly of claim 1, wherein the terminal case comprisesa rear end portion which is formed beneath the body portion and has alarger horizontal cross-section than the terminal hole so as to becaught by the terminal hole inside the bracket.
 3. The motor terminalassembly of claim 2, wherein the rear end portion is formed in anelastically deformable wedge block.
 4. The motor terminal assembly ofclaim 2, the front end portion and the body portion and the rear endportion of the terminal case are integrally formed.
 5. The motorterminal assembly of claim 1, one end of the flexible cable connected tothe connection terminal and another end of the flexible cable connectedto the busbar terminal which is located at a higher height than theheight of the lower end of the connection terminal.
 6. The motorterminal assembly of claim 1, the busbar terminal and the electricalconnection means are integrally formed, and the busbar terminalcomprising a base portion connected to a busbar, and an extensionportion extending from the base portion and to be located in theterminal accommodation portion.
 7. The motor terminal assembly of claim6, further comprising a pair of hook portions formed on both sides ofthe body, respectively, and configured so as to be open to be furtheraway from each other as directed toward the front end portion and to beelastically deformable.
 8. The motor terminal assembly of claim 6,wherein the extension portion comprises at least one bent region.